Sunda is the ancient name of the Malay Islands and the archipelago now currently known as Indonesia, still in present time the name of the western region of Java Island, a land of mysticism with its ritualistic forms and spiritual path. Europalia Indonesia and Morphine Records made a selection of 4 concerts for the 2nd installment of Raung Raya, that brings together deep electronic music and ritualistic vibes into the Berghain, showcasing a deeper, hypnotic and transcendent side of Indonesian modern music.

Karinding Attack, also known as Karat, is a Sundanese band using all bamboo instruments established in March 2009 with 9 (nine) founding members. The founding members are nationally known for their contribution in the underground communities’ movements (Ujungberung Rebels) and/or a member of metal band; a weekly gathering session was being scheduled to accommodate those who are interested in learning both the history behind the instrument and how to play the instrument itself. Commonroom, a public space in Bandung, supports this activity by providing the group with a scheduled place for practice. The first nine members were consistently training themselves with the traditional rules – usually called pakem – and after they have prevail the pakem, more explorations in fusing the traditional instruments with the modern music were being done right away. Karinding Attack brought up a mission on every stage which is to remind young generation of this nation the importance of revitalizing Indonesian ancestor inheritance. For its consistency and commitment in regenerating Karinding, breaking the negative paradigm of society towards underground community, Karinding Attack is being recognized as one of Sundanese ambassador who successfully gave and developed an understanding of Sundanese social-culture amongst the youth.
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Tarawangsa is a refined, minimalist musical tradition from Sunda. It is performed on two stringed instruments that are unique to the region and never played separately: the tarawangsa, a kind of two-stringed violin played vertically, and the jentreng, a seven-stringed zither. Tarawangsa is an extremely rare musical tradition, only played in a handful of Javanese villages during ancient animistic ceremonies linked to the spirits, fertility and agriculture.
At the invitation of Europalia, Rabih Beaini spent two weeks in residence at Bandung in order to work with the Tarawangsawelas duo. By processing the sound of the traditional instruments, they highlight the huge fragility and trancelike effect of tarawangsa. Discover the result in a new album, Wanci, and during concerts.
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During the 1970s, a group of composers and musicians formed the Suita collective to promote contemporary music in the country and provide a forum for discussion and experimentation. One of the founding members of the collective is Otto Sidharta (1955, Bandung).
This pioneer of Indonesian contemporary music was the first to use computers in his compositions. His masterpiece Sri Inwan, for example, was exclusively composed from modulations, clarinets and digital percussion. Sidharta has travelled throughout Indonesia for many years in search of natural and urban sounds that he integrates in his imposing electronic soundscapes.
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The concept behind UWALMASSA is the Fusion of the international arts - both traditional and modern - that are translated through an Indonesian lens. In this case, the consciousness towards the perpetual exchange between the world’s heritage serves as a motivation to place Indonesian arts in a global context. Uwalmassa acknowledges that the Indonesian identity is not something that is diminishing, but rather in need to be reconstructed - as it is still subject to reinterpretation. However, such perception does not justify the means to erase existing cultural grounds. Instead, it is an incentive to continue to build upon those pre-existing foundations.